Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

Xuanbao left Zixiao Palace and stood in the void where chaotic energy surged, but his mind could not calm down for a long time.

Hongjun's last words revealed some unexpected information. Even Hongjun, who has now achieved Dao, needs to conceal his karma to temporarily achieve this? Moreover, Hongjun said that his state was unstable? He even needs to break through to the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal realm and help the Three Pure Ones break through their cultivation levels before he will be qualified to know more?

What lies behind this is probably far beyond his previous imagination. He originally thought that the chessboard of the primordial world consisted of only a few forces: the Heavenly Dao, the Earthly Dao, the Sages, the Lich Kings, and the Human Race. Now it seems that there are even deeper undercurrents beneath the shadows of the primordial world.

Xuanbao subconsciously examined the wisp of white light that Hongjun had just injected into his sea of ​​consciousness. It contained some insights and methods regarding the severing of the three corpses. Xuanbao carefully comprehended it and discovered that it was infinitely profound, seemingly containing the key to breaking through to the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal realm.

From the Xuanbao, we also learned the origin of Hongjun's Three Corpses Severing Technique. It turns out that Hongjun's original form was a Chaos Earthworm. When 3000 Chaos Demons tried to stop Pangu from creating the world, it was chopped into four pieces by Pangu with two axe blows. Fortunately, Hongjun had strong vitality and managed to gain a place in the primordial world created by Pangu. Then, he used the other three pieces of his body to develop the method of Severing the Three Corpses.

The traditional practice of severing the three corpses involves a cultivator using a primordial spiritual treasure that resonates with their own Dao and is spiritually connected to them. This treasure severs their good, evil thoughts, and ego, transforming them into three independent avatars capable of self-cultivation. Severing one corpse signifies the early stage of Quasi-Sainthood, two corpses the mid-stage, and all three the late stage or even the peak. Ultimately, a great opportunity and immense merit are required to reunite the three corpses with the original body, realizing "I am who I am," before one can attain the Primordial Dao.

Hongjun was able to sever his three corpses and become a saint because the three corpses were originally his body. No wonder. Later, I never heard of anyone else severing their three corpses and becoming a saint. Later, after some online geniuses came up with their own interpretations, they said that one needs to use a spiritual treasure of the same origin to become a saint. However, there are still differences between Hongjun's severing of his three corpses and the original method, but they are indeed similar in principle.

"Let's go back to Kunlun first and discuss it with our masters." Xuanbao suppressed his chaotic thoughts, calmed himself down, identified the direction, and his figure transformed into a stream of light, heading towards Kunlun Mountain, the causal connection between him and the Three Pure Ones, traversing the chaos, and returning to the primordial world.

Having traversed the nine heavens and passed the shadow of Mount Buzhou, the majestic and continuous mountain range of Mount Kunlun came into view. Xuanbao descended from the clouds and landed directly in the Sanqing Daoist Temple.

Kunlun Mountain, Sanqing Hall.

A pure aura swirled around, and the Daoist spirit was naturally present. Laozi sat on a futon, his eyes closed, lost in thought, with the Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda above his head cascading down myriad streams of Xuanhuang Qi; Yuanshi was deducing the Jade Purity Immortal Method, with three flowers swaying above the auspicious clouds, and jeweled pendants hanging from them; Tongtian, meanwhile, idly played with the Qingping Sword, its light occasionally flickering and tearing through the void.

Xuanbao's figure suddenly appeared in the hall, carrying with him a ghostly aura that had not yet been fully concealed and a hint of imperceptible solemnity.

"Disciple Xuanbao greets the three masters." Xuanbao bowed respectfully.

The three Pure Ones simultaneously opened their eyes, their gazes falling upon Xuanbao. A hint of surprise flashed in Laozi's eyes: "The matter of the Netherworld is resolved? Your earthly merits are quite substantial; your reincarnation is complete."

Yuanshi sized him up: "Your aura is deep and composed, and your imperial might is beginning to manifest. You have a good grasp of the power in Fengdu. However, there seems to be some doubt between your brows. What instructions did the Dao Ancestor give you during your trip to Zixiao Palace?"

The Three Pure Ones are now at the sixth level of the Saintly Realm, and Xuanbao's return from the Purple Cloud Palace naturally caught their attention.

Tongtian was the most direct. He put down his Qingping Sword and laughed, "Boy, does Hongjun want to see you about something? No problem, with the three of us here, the sky won't fall. Tell me quickly, what is it?"

Xuanbao felt a warmth in his heart, knowing that although his three masters had different personalities, their hearts were united in protecting him. He took a deep breath and recounted in detail the conversation he had with Hongjun in Zixiao Palace, except for slightly embellishing the details about his origins that might be exposed. He explained everything else, including the completion of reincarnation, the Holy Spirit Clan, the Lich Tribulation, the rise of the human race, Hongjun's final warning about "that person," his own condition, and the origin and mystery of the method of severing the three corpses.

A brief silence fell over the hall.

Laozi stroked his beard, deep in thought, his eyes swirling with the yin and yang energies, as if rapidly deducing something. Yuanshi Tianzun's expression was solemn, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knee. Tongtian Jiaozhu, on the other hand, frowned, a hint of sword intent flickering in his eyes.

"The vanished...variable..." Lao Tzu spoke slowly, his voice distant and resonant. "Hongjun used this to describe you, which shows that your specialness has caught Hongjun's eye. However, Hongjun did not take any action, but instead tacitly approved and even gave some pointers. The profound meaning behind this is worth pondering."

Yuanshi chimed in, "Hongjun said that the tribulation of the Lich King cannot be forcibly reversed, but can only be guided, which is the right principle. The tribulation is an inevitable cycle of heaven and earth, and forcibly suppressing it will only accumulate greater hidden dangers. If you can protect a sliver of life and reduce damage during the tribulation, you will have performed a great merit. As for the human race, going with the flow and supplementing it with the righteous path is the long-term solution."

Tongtian snorted: "What 'that person'? Hiding his face and avoiding any hint, even Hongjun is keeping it a secret. We have to wait until you and we both break through to find out? Seems like a tough nut to crack. However, since Hongjun is asking you to strive to break through to the Hunyuan Daluo Jinxian realm and is also counting on you to help us improve our cultivation, it means that the key to this matter might truly lie with us."

Laozi nodded slightly and said, "Tongtian's words make sense. Hongjun's last mention of 'that person' may be related to a deeper secret of the prehistoric world. He wants you to break through to the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal realm and also wants to help us improve. I'm afraid you are the key to breaking the deadlock."

Yuanshi pondered, "Hongjun's own state is unstable, and he still needs to conceal your karma. This matter is no small thing. For an existence that even a Dao Ancestor who has merged with the Dao with his body is so wary of... could it be related to some hidden dangers left by the chaotic era before the creation of the world, or by the Father God Pangu?"

"Who cares who they are!" The Tongtian Sect Leader's eyes gleamed with divine light, a fighting spirit flickering within. "We'll meet force with force, and water with earth. The most urgent task is to increase our strength. Xuanbao, your cultivation has now reached the peak of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal (quasi-saint), and you've also received the blessing of the Earthly Dao's merits and the Netherworld's authority, making your foundation solid. Do you have any ideas on how to break through to the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal?"

Xuanbao smiled wryly and said to the Tongtian Sect Leader, "My masters, you are all wise enough to see that my cultivation has reached a bottleneck, and my accumulation of knowledge is quite substantial. Of the three paths to becoming a Primordial Golden Immortal—law-based enlightenment, severing the three corpses, and achieving sainthood through merit—I have some understanding of all of them except for severing the three corpses. Law-based enlightenment requires mastering a law and condensing one's own law-based Dao fruit. This path is the most difficult and the most powerful, but it demands extremely high levels of foundation and timing, and cannot be achieved in a short time. I have only cultivated for a short period. If you give me time and space, I am very confident that I can successfully navigate the righteous path of the laws."

As for achieving sainthood through merit... Although I have accumulated a great deal of merit, my strength is far too weak to reach that level. Unless absolutely necessary, I will not choose this path; at most, it can only be an icing on the cake.

Xuanbao paused, then continued, "What I'm worried about is precisely 'time.' Hongjun's words hinted at a possible major change in the future, requiring me to break through as soon as possible. However, the Hunyuan Daluo realm is not something that can be achieved overnight. Forcing a breakthrough would leave my foundation unstable, which would be counterproductive. Moreover, my master is counting on me to help my three masters improve their cultivation, which... makes it even more difficult. My three masters are already at the sixth level of the Saint realm, and their cultivation level has long surpassed the ordinary. To advance further, the necessary opportunities, comprehension, and even the possible external forces required are all extremely difficult."

Lao Tzu nodded slightly and said, "Your concerns are quite valid. The Primordial Golden Immortal transcends time and space, and is indestructible through countless eons. Although their status differs from that of a Heavenly Saint, their levels are similar. If you wish to attain this path, you cannot rush it. However..."

Laozi abruptly changed the subject, a profound glint in his eyes: "Since Hongjun has said you are the key to breaking the deadlock, perhaps your 'variable' nature is the greatest opportunity. Your cultivation cannot be judged entirely by ordinary standards. As for helping the three of us improve, it requires a great deal of luck and merit..."

What brings merit in the primordial world? Doing things that benefit the primordial world. Suddenly, Xuanbao remembered something he had thought of not long ago: restoring the western earth veins would definitely bring a lot of merit. Xuanbao didn't hide it and directly mentioned it to the Three Pure Ones.

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze narrowed slightly. After calculating for a moment, he slowly said, "The Western ley lines... In the past, during the conflict between the demonic paths, Rahu self-destructed, destroying most of the Western spiritual ley lines. This was a great calamity for heaven and earth, and also a matter of immeasurable karma. If it could be repaired, the merit gained would indeed be immeasurable. However, this matter is extremely difficult. The West is barren, its origin is deficient, and only those with supreme creative powers, boundless primordial power, and even the great opportunity to repair the ley lines can accomplish this. Even with Jieyin and Zhunti overseeing the West for countless eons, they can only slowly nurture it, without any fundamental improvement. What good plan do you have?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader also became interested. He put down the Qingping Sword and looked intently at Xuanbao: "You've always had a lot of ideas, kid. Tell me quickly. If it really works, it will be an immense merit. It will be a great thing for your cultivation, for our fortune, and even for the entire prehistoric world. Those two guys, Jieyin and Zhunti, will probably kneel down and thank you."

Xuanbao organized his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "This disciple does have some ideas. The key to repairing the western earth veins lies in replenishing the depleted source of heaven and earth, reshaping the broken spiritual vein network, and purifying the remaining demonic and malevolent energy. This disciple has considered that perhaps a multi-pronged approach can be taken."

"Firstly, replenishing the source. This disciple possesses the Chaos Gourd, containing a chaotic space within. Over the years, this disciple has acquired numerous innate spiritual roots, which can slowly transform chaotic energy into innate spiritual energy. This disciple can attempt to use these innate spiritual roots as a foundation, combined with one's own understanding of the laws of creation and vitality, to guide and transform chaotic energy into pure spiritual liquid of the primordial essence of heaven and earth, nourishing the barren lands of the west. Furthermore…"

Xuanbao hesitated for a moment, then said, "This disciple still has quite a bit of 'Holy Water' and Three Lights Divine Water. This water contains incomparably pure innate vitality and creative power, and its nourishing ability is beyond doubt. Perhaps it can be diluted and mixed to repair the core nodes of the earth veins."

Lao Tzu nodded slightly: "Innate spiritual roots do indeed possess this ability, but the efficiency of conversion and the scale of output require the support of your cultivation. Holy water and Three Lights Divine Water... when used properly, they can indeed have miraculous effects. However, this water is ultimately a foreign substance, and you need to pay attention to its compatibility with the local soil and veins of the West to avoid incompatibility and rejection."

"Master is absolutely right, and I will act with caution," Xuanbao continued. "Secondly, the spiritual veins need to be rebuilt. Earth veins are like the meridians of an array; if they are broken and fractured, they need to be reconnected, cleared, and strengthened. Now that I have newly assumed the authority of the Netherworld, my understanding of the earth and the earth veins has deepened. As a sage of the earth, Houtu, who governs reincarnation, possesses unparalleled ability to perceive and manipulate the earth's veins. Perhaps I can ask Houtu for help, using the power of the earth to perceive the key points of damage to the western earth veins and guide me to the repair points. At the same time, I can use some of the followers of the Human Emperor Banner who are proficient in array formations and the way of geomancy, or who were mountain gods or earth gods in their previous lives, to conduct on-site surveys and set up a grand array to nourish, guide, and stabilize the earth veins. The foundation of the array can be based on the innate spiritual materials I possess, and even... some divine metals and gems obtained from the west, making it easier for them to resonate with the western earth veins."

"By harnessing the power of the earth's tunnels and combining it with the wonders of the formation, this method is feasible," Yuanshi Tianzun commented. "Junior Sister Houtu is compassionate, and repairing the earth's tunnels is also her wish. If she knew this would benefit the prehistoric world, she would have agreed. Your followers will also be put to good use."

"Thirdly, purify the demonic energy." Xuanbao's gaze narrowed slightly. "Deep within the western ley lines, there remain demonic energy and fragments of the laws of destruction from Rahu's self-destruction. This is a stubborn ailment that the ley lines cannot heal themselves. The Holy Spirit Clan, which I created, is inherently pure and skilled in the light of purification, possessing the ability to restrain evil spirits and demonic energy. We can dispatch some of the Holy Spirit Clan's elites to penetrate deep into the critically damaged areas of the western ley lines and slowly purify the remaining demonic energy with holy light. This process must be gradual and not rushed, lest it trigger a backlash from the demonic energy. At the same time, the Karmic Fire Red Lotus in my hands, and even the Yuan Tu and Abi swords, although treasures of slaughter, are also related to killing and karma in their origin. We might try to fight poison with poison, guiding, absorbing, and transforming some specific types of destructive energy, but this method is highly risky and must be approached with extreme caution."

"The Holy Spirit Clan's purification is indeed the right remedy. The Karmic Fire Red Lotus and other such items... can be used, but you must constantly monitor them to prevent them from spiraling out of control and damaging the earth's veins," the Tongtian Sect Master reminded him. "This matter will take a long time, not a matter of a single day. Do you have a specific strategy? How should we begin?"

Xuanbao already had a plan in mind: "I intend to first discuss this with Sister Houtu to gain her support, and ask her to conduct a preliminary survey of the current state of the Western ley lines, marking the most critical and essential damaged points, as well as the relatively easy 'starting points' for repair. Afterwards, I will personally travel to the West to visit my two senior uncles, Jieyin and Zhunti, and explain the advantages and disadvantages. Repairing the Western ley lines is something they have longed for. Even if they are wary of me, cooperation is the only option in the face of such a great cause and their own interests. We can agree that I will lead the repair process, and they must provide convenience, not obstruct it, and must open up some access to the ley lines for exploration and action. The distribution of merit can also be agreed upon in advance to avoid future disputes."

"After obtaining their initial consent, I will first select one or two relatively minor or easily repairable damaged ley lines for pilot testing. Based on the nourishment of the Chaos Gourd's transformed spiritual liquid, supplemented by the purification of the Holy Spirit Clan, a simple and stable array will be set up to observe the effects and adjust the plan. At the same time, a large number of subordinates proficient in ley lines and arrays will be dispatched to comprehensively survey the western ley line network, draw detailed maps, and mark all damaged points, areas of demonic accumulation, and areas of interrupted spiritual energy flow. Once the pilot test is successful and the plan is mature, it will be gradually rolled out, from points to lines, from lines to surfaces, and finally covering the entire west, attempting to reconnect the main spiritual veins and awaken the dormant ley line nodes."

After listening, Lao Tzu pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "This strategy is well-thought-out and proceeds step by step, and it certainly has the potential to succeed. However, there are several difficulties. First, whether Jieyin and Zhunti will genuinely cooperate, or whether they will secretly obstruct or take the opportunity to make excessive demands. Second, during the repair process, whether it will trigger the eruption of residual demonic energy or touch upon other unknown hidden dangers. Third, given the long time involved and the enormous resources and mental effort required, whether you can sustain it without being hindered in your own cultivation. Fourth, when the merits arrive, how will the Heavenly Dao and the Earthly Dao judge them, will the distribution of merits be as you wish, and will it trigger new karmic consequences?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader clapped his hands and laughed, "Good lad! You've got guts! You've got the job done! What do you need my help with? Just say the word! Is it to help you deal with those two potentially unruly fellows, Jieyin and Zhunti, or to find you some materials for setting up an array?"

Xuanbao hurriedly said, "Thank you, Master! There's no need for you to intervene directly for now, lest you provoke the two Western Saints and create unnecessary complications. I will try to communicate and negotiate on my own first. If I encounter obstacles, or if there are truly unavoidable dangers during the repair process, then I will ask for your help. I have accumulated quite a few materials for setting up the array, which can sustain me for now. If there are any rare items, I will ask you for them."

In fact, Xuanbao felt that he didn't even need to ask whether Zhunti and Jieyin would cause any complications. Xuanbao was certain that as long as the two knew that Xuanbao could repair the Western Earth Veins, they would obediently bark twice if Xuanbao told them to bark a few times.

Such friction between Zhunti and Xuanbao is nothing more than a little bit of hardship.

As for whether Houtu will agree, that's even simpler. I can't be sure about anything else, but Xuanbao's current status in the Wu tribe is probably comparable to that of the Ancestral Witches. Moreover, he's doing something beneficial to the prehistoric world, so Houtu doesn't even need to think about it; she'll definitely agree without hesitation.

Lao Tzu concluded, "Since that is the case, you may proceed according to the plan. First, go to the Underworld and consult with Houtu to obtain her assistance. Then, go to the West to meet with Jieyin and Zhunti. In your actions, you must be neither humble nor arrogant, and act with reason and evidence. Repairing the earth's veins is a matter of public duty, not a personal request. If successful, the merit will be immeasurable, greatly benefiting the primordial world, and it will also be an opportunity for your breakthrough; if unsuccessful, do not force it, and prioritize your own safety. Remember, your safety is of utmost importance."

"Disciple will humbly obey Master's teachings!" Xuanbao bowed and agreed, feeling reassured. With the support of his three masters and the approval of his plans, he felt much more confident.